People Who Read Literary Fiction are More Empathetic Than Those Who Don't

We already know that reading can help you live longer, and now there's more exciting news for bookworms: Depending on what typeof books you pore over, reading can make you a better person, too.

New research from the American Psychological Association says people who read literary fiction are better able to understand human emotions, making them more empathetic, social, and friendly in groups. Apparently, consistent engagement with another person, even if it's a fictional character, makes a person more skilled in connecting with others, according to scientists.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

The study looked at more than 1,000 volunteers who were asked to identify literary names followed by an exercise that asked them to determine emotions based on photographs they were given, according to the Huffington Post. They found that participants who were well-versed in literary fiction also had better emotional intelligence.

The researchers clearly stated that these positive traits were associated with this specific type of fiction only. Books considered to be "literary" fiction, where authors detail characters' internal feelings and thoughts throughout the story, have more of an effect on readers, as opposed to fiction that focuses simply on events or plot.

Fans of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and John Steinbeck: Looks like you may have a leg up on everyone else.